• Obama-Singh mini-grant for promoting CSR education and research in IndiaStudy Team: Prof. Vivek PandeyProf. Vivek Pandey was conferred with the prestigious Obama-Singh mini-grant, by the United States-India Educational Foundation. The fellowship was administered jointly by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and IIM Bangalore and had been granted for conducting research in corporate sustainability. He won the fellowship for his research proposal: "The Mandatory CSR Act and Response of Indian Companies". The research output from the study was submitted to IIM Bangalore in January 2016.

• Mid-term Impact Evaluation of CCD-ABF Farmers' Livelihood ProjectStudy Team: Prof. Vivek Pandey, Prof. Shyam SinghThe aim of the study was to conduct mid-term impact evaluation of the CCD-ABF livelihood intervention with groundnut farmers in Andhra Pradesh. The study assessed the impact of cooperatives on agricultural incomes, fair trade practices, role of intermediaries, and effectiveness of support services provided by the implementing agency. The project concluded in August 2015.

• Baseline / Need Assessment survey for NPCIL-KAPSStudy Team: Prof. Paresh J. Bhatt (Coordinator), Prof. Asmita H.VyasNuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL), through its Corporate Social Responsibility wing, has taken initiative to bring an improvement in the living conditions of the inhabitants of villages neighbouring its Kakrapar Atomic Power Stations (KAPS) situated in Surat district of Gujarat State. The company undertakes activities for the development of the community surrounding its area of operation. The management of NPCIL-KAPS entered into an MoU with IRMA in December, 2014 to conduct Baseline/ Need Assessment Survey in peripheral villages within a radius of 5 kms from KAPS. Objective of the project was to recommend investment in improvement tasks covering various areas of villagers life with a main focus on water facilities, housing and sanitation, livelihood, education and health care facilities with gap analysis and actions needed to be taken by NPCIL. Additionally the survey aimed to identify any other needs and major problems faced by the community.

The final report was submitted in August, 2015. The study team, through survey with 714 samples, identified gaps in respect of several basic and other facilities; the team recommended for short-term and long-term needs for intervention by NPCIL which are of general and specific nature. All recommendations were made village-wise and district-wise. The report was accepted by the management.

• Mid-term Impact Evaluation of ABF's Project ‘Saksham'Study Team: Prof. Vivek Pandey, Prof. Shyam SinghIRMA conducted a mid-term impact evaluation of a project on the livelihoods of Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation (VOCSETs) and Women Affected by AIDS (WAAs). Formation of livelihood groups and identification of suitable livelihood opportunities form the basic strategy of the program. The objective of the study was to assess the progress of the intervention in achieving the expected outcomes, as well as process evaluation. The project completed in March 2015.

• Community Impact Assessment of the Vadodara-Halol Toll Road, GujaratStudy Team: Prof. Anand Venkatesh, Prof. Preeti Priya, Prof. S R Asokan IRMA had undertaken a consulting assignment for IL & FS (Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited) during 2013-14. The key objective was to move beyond conventional impact evaluation tools and techniques and suggest an alternative framework for Community Impact Evaluation (CIA). The alternative framework was developed using the tool of Analytic Hierarchical Processes (AHP) which keeps the community sentiments, feelings, aspirations and concerns firmly at the centre while not requiring strong assumptions of monetary imputations. The key deliverable was the development of the AHP-based Community Impact Index which serves as a sound alternative to conventional tools like monetary Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), etc. The project completed in August 2014.

• Need Assessment Study: Project-Kamdhenu, Assam Study Team: Prof. Paresh J. Bhatt (Coordinator), Prof. H. S. Shylendra, Prof. M.V. Durga PrasadOil India Limited, Duliajan, Assam signed an MoU with IRMA for carrying out a baseline survey and need assessment study for establishing a dairy processing plant in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts, Assam. The project explored the potential of strengthening dairy farming along with all backward and forward linkages so as to increase the productivity of bovine and production of milk in two districts. OIL India Limited intends to provide employment opportunities by ensuring dairy farming as a means of sustainable livelihood for farmers. Phase-I viz. baseline survey and need assessment was completed in August, 2014. The report was accepted by the management.